Players' futures in their own hands: Nash

New Zealand's players should focus on their own performances instead of criticising the selectors and the coach John Bracewell over their handling of player axings, according to Dion Nash. The former New Zealand allrounder is now one of the selectors and although he conceded that communication had not always been at its best, he hoped the parties could foster a more amicable environment.

"We've all been on the wrong end of something as a result of bad communication," he told the Sunday News. "At times it could have been better and dropping someone is never an easy situation. Sometimes you get communicated to but you don't actually hear it as well.

"Ultimately, as a New Zealand cricketer your future is in your own hands. If you are scoring runs and taking wickets you won't get yourself in a position to be dropped. That's my message back to the players that have criticised us for a lack of communication."

Nash hoped the way forward would be a more positive experience and said the selectors would express themselves better, especially when dealing with players likely to be dropped. "There's always something to complain about in terms of communication. I'm not excusing it because we need to communicate well and clearly because it is a sensitive area.

"Some guys do have marginal calls go against them and other guys get good calls. We need to be conscious of that but at the same time it's still about what guys do with the bat and ball in their hands."

With the squad for the tour to England to be announced on Thursday Nash indicated there would be fresh faces penciled in. "The main challenge is to pick a side that can become a cohesive unit quickly," he said. "There are going to be some new names there and our hand is forced on that.
I couldn't say whether any players will be dropped for sure but there are a number of positions we need to discuss.

"No one has booked a flight to England, the IPL guys aside, and I think it's good no one is assured of their place in the side. We've asked guys in the last few seasons to be in form, available and to be keen to play for New Zealand. We are going to pick guys who are in form and guys who want to compete."